City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Benton, KY

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Benton - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

4,774
Residents
$63,368
Median income
$159,600
Median home
$884
Median rent (state)

Benton - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Benton places in the 40th percentile for household income and the 49th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

40th
percentile, household income
30th
percentile, home value
4th
percentile, median rent
49th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Benton, KY

Benton is a small town in Kentucky, home to 4,774 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Benton households earn a median of $63,368 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.5%. Benton's housing stock carries a median value of $159,600, and the median resident age is 43.7 years. 19.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 55.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Benton reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1406.0 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Benton's yearly average temperature at 56.9°F.

Living costs in Kentucky run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Kentucky at 90.2 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $884 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Kentucky run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 61.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

4,774 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$63,368 /yr

Poverty 6.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Benton compare to other US cities?

Here's how Benton stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 40% higher than other cities
Home value 30% pricier than other cities
Median rent 4% pricier than other cities
Safety 49% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Kentucky alone, Benton ranks #135 of 181 Kentucky cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Benton's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Kentucky, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

40thIncome percentile
49thSafety percentile

40th percentile nationally for median household income · 49th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Benton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Benton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 57 Avg. percentile National median
Benton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Benton's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$159,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 70% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Benton $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Benton, KY Benton, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Benton, KY-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Benton, KY median $63,368/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Benton, KY's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Benton, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
4,774
Median Income
$63,368
Median Home Value
$159,600
Median Age
43.7
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Labor force participation
55.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1406.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
83.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1322.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
56.9°F
Annual Precipitation
N/A
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
9
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,700 residents4,720 residents4,740 residents4,760 residents4,780 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,764 residents 4,718 residents ▼ -1.0%
Benton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
88.3%
Carpool
2.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
8.1%
Other
0.8%

Based on 2,197 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Kentucky - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Kentucky state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Kentucky state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Benton sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$884/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
61.9 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Hendron
4,840 people
Columbia
4,842 people
Hurstbourne
4,669 people
Reidland
4,887 people
Massac
4,937 people
Prospect
4,518 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Benton's 4,774 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

DeWitt, MI
4,774 people
Higginsville, MO
4,775 people
Winnsboro, LA
4,777 people
Calcutta, OH
4,770 people
San Carlos, AZ
4,769 people
St. Clair, MO
4,767 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Benton's $63,368 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Willmar, MN
$63,368 median income
Newport, MN
$63,365 median income
Rochelle, IL
$63,373 median income
Montezuma, IA
$63,375 median income
Hickory, NC
$63,361 median income
Blanche, TN
$63,375 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Benton, KY Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Benton, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.1% White 89.7% Black or African American 2.1% Asian 2.0% American Indian 1.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.8% Two or more races 4.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Benton compares to nearby Kentucky cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Benton (this city) 4,774 $63,368
Hendron 4,840 $64,777
Columbia 4,842 $45,221
Hurstbourne 4,669 $113,906
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Benton, KY?

What is the population of Benton, KY? +

The population of Benton, KY stands at 4,774 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Benton, KY? +

Median annual household income in Benton runs $63,368, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Benton? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Benton; the closest available measure is the Kentucky state average, a cost of living index of 90.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Kentucky vary by metro area.

Is Benton, KY safe? +

Benton has a total crime rate of 1406.0 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Benton, KY? +

The median home value in Benton is $159,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Benton? +

Climate normals put Benton's yearly average temperature at 56.9°F. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.